Representatives from Kingsland’s early childhood program were among 28 organizations gathered at the office of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) in Owatonna recently to celebrate 13 years of the BookStart program.

“We’re purifying copper for copper electroforming,” explained Peggy Norris, department director of education and outreach at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, S.D., speaking from a mile underground and more than 500 miles away via interactive television (ITV) to Jen DeKok’s Kingsland chemistry students on a recent Wednesday afternoon.

The upcoming Kingsland junior took second overall in welding at the recent Riverland Community College contest held in Albert Lea, in which students from various area high schools showed how well they could fasten metal pieces together.

“We’re proud to announce that the Kingsland Builders Club has been awarded third place in the international Kiwanis Builders Club scrapbook competition,” stated Kingsland Builders Club advisor Cornell.

“This is my bunad,” shared Norma Wangsness, showing off her traditional Norwegian costume to Kingsland High School art students in her daughter Linda Wangsness’s classes last Wednesday during the next-to-the-last week of school.

Well, it's 6 a.m. and I am opening the door on the bus shed. I'll do my pre-trip inspection, which consists of checking all the lights, safety buzzers, fluid levels and all other mechanics of the bus to be sure it's ready for the day.